A method and system for establishing a meeting location for affiliates of primary users of mobile devices. In various embodiments, geolocation information from first and second mobile devices in proximity to first and second affiliated parties, respectively, is used to identify a meeting location. The affiliated parties (e.g., human babies or dogs) may be unable to meaningfully and independently interact with a mobile device. Directions to the meeting location are communicated to each of the mobile devices, as well as location information regarding the other mobile device. Social profile information regarding a user of a mobile device and an affiliated party may also be provided to other potential meeting participants. Proximity of an affiliated party to a mobile device may be determined from electronic data received from a device coupled to the affiliated party. Further, potential points of interest culled from a curated database may be communicated for display.
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1. A method of establishing a meeting location for affiliates of primary users of mobile devices, comprising: receiving first geolocation information from a first mobile device in proximity to a first affiliated party, wherein proximity is determined, at least in part, from electronic data received from a device coupled to the first affiliated party; receiving second geolocation information from a second mobile device in proximity to a second affiliated party, wherein proximity is determined, at least in part, from electronic data received from a device coupled to the second affiliated party; determining an initial location of the first affiliated party based on the first geolocation information; determining an initial location of the second affiliated party based on the second geolocation information; calculating a distance between the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party based on the initial location of the first affiliated party and the initial location of the second affiliated party; identifying a meeting point for the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party based on the calculated distance; generating first routing information identifying a travel route between the initial location of the first affiliated party and the meeting point; generating second routing information identifying a travel route between the initial location of the second affiliated party and the meeting point; communicating the initial location of the second affiliated party, the meeting point and the first routing information for visual presentation on the first mobile device; and communicating the initial location of the first affiliated party, the meeting point and the second routing information for visual presentation on the second mobile device.
A method for coordinating a meeting between two people ("primary users") using mobile devices and their associated "affiliates" (e.g., babies, dogs) involves: obtaining the location of each affiliate via their proximity to a mobile device. Proximity is determined using data from a device attached to the affiliate (e.g., a tracking device). The method calculates the distance between the affiliates, determines a suitable meeting point, generates travel routes from each affiliate's location to the meeting point, and displays the other affiliate's location, the meeting point, and the route on each mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party is a human unable to meaningful and independently interact with a mobile device.
The meeting coordination method described above, where at least one of the "affiliates" whose meeting is being coordinated is a human (e.g., a baby or child) who cannot use a mobile device to identify the meeting point or interact with it in a meaningful way. The mobile devices are being used by a second primary user to assist the affiliate.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party is a dog.
The meeting coordination method described above, where at least one of the "affiliates" whose meeting is being coordinated is a dog. The location of the dog is tracked via a device attached to the dog, and the meeting point is determined based on the dog's location and the location of another affiliate, with routing information provided to the dog's owner's mobile device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party are unable to meaningful and independently interact with the first mobile device and the second device, respectively, for purposes of identifying the meeting point.
The meeting coordination method described above, where the affiliates (e.g., babies or pets) are unable to use the mobile devices themselves to determine or interact with the meeting point. The meeting is being coordinated by the primary users who have the mobile devices.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the meeting point is approximately equidistance from the initial location of the first affiliated party and the initial location of the second affiliated party.
The meeting coordination method described above, where the chosen meeting point is approximately equidistant from the initial locations of the two "affiliates". This aims to minimize travel distance for both parties involved in the meeting.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying at least one point of interest proximate the meeting point; and communicating the at least one point of interest for visual presentation on the first mobile device and second mobile device.
The meeting coordination method described above further includes identifying points of interest near the chosen meeting point and displaying these points of interest on both mobile devices. This allows the users to see nearby attractions or amenities that may be relevant to their meeting.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one point of interest is identified from a curated database of points of interest relevant to at least one of the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party.
The meeting coordination method, which includes identifying points of interest near the meeting point, obtains these points of interest from a curated database. This database contains locations that are relevant to either or both of the "affiliates" (e.g., dog parks, baby-friendly cafes).
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: identifying additional points of interest proximate the travel route between the initial location of the first affiliated party and the meeting point and the travel route between the initial location of the second affiliated party and the meeting point; and communicating the additional points of interest for visual presentation on the first mobile device and the second mobile device.
The meeting coordination method described above, which identifies points of interest near the meeting location, also identifies additional points of interest along the travel routes from each affiliate's starting location to the meeting point. These additional points of interest are then displayed on the mobile devices.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is a tracking device.
In the meeting coordination method described above, the device attached to the "affiliate" to determine proximity is a tracking device, such as a GPS tracker. This tracking device provides location data used to determine the affiliate's location.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a request, from the first mobile device or the second mobile device, to identify a new meeting point; in response to the request, identifying a new meeting point; and communicating the new meeting point for visual presentation on the first mobile device and the second mobile device.
The meeting coordination method described above further allows a user to request a new meeting point. If a request is received from either mobile device, the system identifies a new meeting point and communicates it to both mobile devices. This allows users to dynamically adjust meeting locations.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: communicating profile information relating to the second affiliated party and a user of the second mobile device for presentation on the first mobile device.
The meeting coordination method described above also includes displaying profile information about the second "affiliate" and the user of the second mobile device on the first mobile device. This could include information about the affiliate's interests or the user's preferences, enabling a user to know something about the person/affiliate they are meeting.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a request, from the first mobile device, to meet with the second affiliated party; and receiving, from the second mobile device, an acceptance of the request.
The meeting coordination method described above allows one user to initiate a meeting request. The first mobile device sends a request to meet with the second "affiliate." The second mobile device receives this request and the user can then accept the meeting. The system then proceeds to determine a meeting point after the request is accepted.
13. A server supporting an application installed on a first mobile device and a second mobile device, the server comprising: a communication interface configured to operate via a network to communicate with and receive information from the first mobile device and the second mobile device; processing circuitry operably coupled to the communication interface; memory coupled to the processing circuitry; and program code stored in the memory, wherein the processing circuitry and communications interface operate according to the program code to: receive first geolocation information from the first mobile device, the first mobile device in proximity to a first affiliated party, wherein proximity is determined, at least in part, from electronic data received from a device coupled to the first affiliated party; receive second geolocation information from the second mobile device, the second mobile device in proximity to a second affiliated party, wherein proximity is determined, at least in part, from electronic data received from a device coupled to the second affiliated party; determine an initial location of the first affiliated party based on the first geolocation information; determine an initial location of the second affiliated party based on the second geolocation information; identify a meeting point for the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party based on a calculated distance between the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party; generate first routing information identifying a travel route between the initial location of the first affiliated party and the meeting point; generate second routing information identifying a travel route between the initial location of the second affiliated party and the meeting point; communicate the initial location of the second affiliated party, the meeting point and the first routing information for visual presentation on the first mobile device; and communicate the initial location of the first affiliated party, the meeting point and the second routing information for visual presentation on the second mobile device.
A server manages a meeting coordination application installed on two mobile devices. The server receives location data from both mobile devices, each associated with an "affiliate," with proximity determined using data from a device attached to each affiliate. The server calculates the distance between the affiliates, identifies a suitable meeting point, generates travel routes from each affiliate's location to the meeting point, and sends location information, the meeting point, and the routes to the corresponding mobile devices for display.
14. The server of claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry and the communications interface further operate according to the program code to: identify at least one point of interest proximate the meeting point; and communicate the at least one point of interest for visual presentation on the first mobile device and second mobile device.
The server supporting the meeting coordination application, as described above, further identifies and communicates points of interest near the meeting point. These points of interest are sent to both mobile devices for visual display, providing users with information about nearby locations.
15. The server of claim 14 , the memory maintaining a database of potential points of interest, wherein the at least one point of interest is identified from the database of potential points of interest.
The server described above, which identifies points of interest near the meeting point, uses a database stored in memory that contains potential points of interest. These points are relevant to the "affiliates" and are used to enhance the meeting experience.
16. The server of claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry and the communications interface further operate according to the program code to: identify additional points of interest proximate the travel route between the initial location of the first affiliated party and the meeting point and the travel route between the initial location of the second affiliated party and the meeting point; and communicate the additional points of interest for visual presentation on the first mobile device and the second mobile device.
The server supporting the meeting coordination application also identifies points of interest along the travel routes between each affiliate's starting location and the meeting point. These additional points of interest are communicated to the mobile devices for display.
17. The server of claim 13 , wherein the meeting point is approximately equidistance from the initial location of the first affiliated party and the initial location of the second affiliated party.
In the server managing the meeting coordination application, the meeting point is selected so that it is approximately equidistant from the starting locations of the two "affiliates".
18. The server of claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry and the communications interface further operate according to the program code to: receive a request, from the first mobile device or the second mobile device, to identify a new meeting point; in response to the request, identify a new meeting point; and communicate the new meeting point for visual presentation on the first mobile device and the second mobile device.
The server managing the meeting coordination application allows a user to request a new meeting point from either mobile device. Upon receiving this request, the server identifies a new meeting point and communicates it to both mobile devices.
19. The server of claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry and the communications interface further operate according to the program code to: receive profile information relating to the second affiliated party and a user of the second mobile device; and communicate the profile information for presentation on the first mobile device.
The server supporting the meeting coordination application receives profile information about the second "affiliate" and the user of the second mobile device. This information is then communicated to the first mobile device for display, providing context about the other meeting participant.
20. The server of claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry and the communications interface further operate according to the program code to: prior to identifying a meeting point for the first affiliated party and the second affiliated party, receive a request, from the first mobile device, to meet with the second affiliated party; communicate the request to the second mobile device; and receive, from the second mobile device, an acceptance of the request.
Before identifying a meeting point, the server facilitates a meeting request. The first mobile device sends a request to meet with the second "affiliate". The server then communicates this request to the second mobile device and waits for an acceptance before proceeding to identify a meeting location.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
May 23, 2016
March 28, 2017
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